What tools do I need???

[ScottAR]

Get a large Vise. Best one you can afford. You'll use it 3 times as much as you think...

[AndyF]

If you have some extra time and you live in an area with auctions, check out the auction listings. I'm in the Finger Lakes area in NY and have done real well at the auctions here. School auctions often include shop tools and most estate auctions have some tools also. I recently picked up a real nice made in USA Wilton horizontal bandsaw for $70 and a Delta 14" 6 spd. wood/metal bandsaw for $120. I've also found a good 150 lb anvil, heavy duty 6" bench vise and loads of hand tools at very reasonable prices. So if you have some time and don't mind a used tool, auctions can be a good way to get some tools.

[RidgeRunner]

Excellent suggestion Scott.

It took me 3 times b4 I finally got it right on the vise (Duh on me). Seems I use mine every time I turn around and a tighter grip is always better. When you try to torque down on a light(cheap?) duty vise, they just won't take it.

[drpepper]

Ranchman, I am so glad to see that I am not the only one who likes Harbor Freight. A lot of times, I only need a tool for a specific job, and can't see shelling out a lot of cash. I have not had any trouble with their products either. I know that I am not getting the fit and finish, but that's not what I am after. Back when I was single, I only bought Snap-on and Proto hand tools. Now, I buy Craftsman. Especially after my boy comes thru "borrowing".

[Charlie_in_TX]

I agree, for most light duty home use the HF equipment is a good chose. I have a 4 1/2 in angle grinder ($15), 9 in angle grinder ($39), a 14 in chop saw ($59) as well as many air powered tools. Not a problem with any. At work we have a small machine shop, I don't by HF tools there. At work, 1 hour lost in production will cost more than you could save on a tool.

[OkieG]

s1120,

I just ran across this thread. My post is in response to your question about buying welding tanks on 7/14.
Every so often, welding tanks need to be tested to be recertified as safe for use. The businesses that recertify tanks often end up with tanks that are dropped off, but never picked back up...from companies that have gone out of business, or who knows what. If you contact your nearest testing facility, you may be able to strike a bargain on a set of tanks.

OkieG

[Soundguy]

I recently purchased a ford 8N.. and that meant I needed more tools. I had to run down and get a tie rod end seperator ( 3 bucks! ), a 1+ inch socket setw/breaker bar, 19 bucks, a 15" adjustable wrench - 7 bucks, a nut splitter, 4 bucks, a ball peen hammer.. 3 bucks, and the list goes on.. I got a couple more tools.. and was less than 59 bucks. I realize they are not super high quality tools.. but heck.. 3 bucks for a tie rod end seperator? How often am I gonna use that? Napa has on for 15-19 bucks.... I used my cheapy one for exactly 4 whacks, to seperate the 2 front and 2 rear ends for my dual drag links... I do have my nice snap-on and craftsman tools for the smaller jobs.. but I don't want my nice sockets on the end of a 2' breaker bar with a 3' pipe on it ... Nor did I have the large 1+ inch sockets I needed either...

Soundguy

"Ranchman, I am so glad to see that I am not the only one who likes Harbor Freight. A lot of times, I only need a tool for a specific job, and can't see shelling out a lot of cash. I have not had any trouble with their products "